Slide fastener actuating device



Oct. 11, 1966 w. B. ZERN 3,278,215

SLIDE FASTENER ACTUATING DEVICE FilSd June 1.7, 1965 Fig. I

United States Patent 3,278,215 SLIDE FASTENER ACTUATING DEVICE Warren B. Zern, 1016 N. Evans and Mineral Sts., Pottstown, Pa. Filed June 17, 1965, Ser. No. 464,623 6 Claims. (Cl. 294-19) This invention relates to zipper actuating devices and has for an object the provision of an improved slide fastener actuating device.

It is quite customary today to provide womens clothing such as dresses and bathing suits with mechanical closures in the form of zippers which are located on the back of the clothing. Such zippers are of substantial length often extending from the neck to the waist of the garment. Such zippers are frequently difficult to operate by reason of their location and the difficulty of operation becomes increased when the slide fastener becomes stuck. It is not unusual for a slide fastener to become stuck when a loose thread or a piece of the fabric becomes caught in the slide fastener. Under such circumstances it becomes necessary to apply a greater force to the slide fastener than normally used and such force may need to be either in the direction of opening or closing the fastener as may be required to break the slide fastener loose from its stuck position. Many slide fastener actuating devices have been proposed heretofore however they have all left something to be desired. For example the slide fastener actuating devices of the pull string type only permit operation of the device in the one direction and thus are not suitable for a push and pull operation as is normally required to break a stuck fastener loose. While other slide fasteners have been proposed with rigid or semi-rigid handles their attachment devices to the zipper tab have not been of sufficiently positive construction to enable the operator to firmly pull the zipper or push the zipper as may be required to free the zipper when it is in stuck condition. Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a slide fastener actuating device of simple, low cost construction which is capable of firmly gripping the slide fastener so that it may be pushed or pulled as required to free the fastener from a stuck condition.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a device for actuating a slide fastener of the type having an opening therein. Such device comprises a handle of rod-like construction having pin structure carried by one end of the handle and extending longitudinally thereof. The pin structure has a diameter sufiiciently small to extend through the opening in the slide fastener. Fixed locking structure is carried by the one end of the handle and the locking structure comprises at least one open-end slot extending transversely of the pin structure and beyond the one end of the handle. The slot is constructed and arranged to receive the slide fastener after it is positioned on the pin structure and to cooperate with the pin structure in maintaining the slide fastener substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle during both push and pull longitudinal movements of the handle.

For further objects and advantages of the invention reference is to be had to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a slide fastener actuating device embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the plane 2-2 in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a modification of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown a slide fastener actuating device having a rod-like handle 11 of rigid or 3,278,215 Patented Oct. 11, 1966 semi-rigid construction. The handle 11 may be made of any suitable material such for example as metal, wood or plastic. As may be seen in FIG. 1 the lower end of the handle 11 has secured thereto a metal pin 12 which projects therefrom along the longitudinal axis of the handle 11. This same end of the handle 11 is provided with an extension or sleeve 13 which is secured or otherwise attached to the handle 11 as by a pin 14-. It is also to be understood that the sleeve 13 may bean integral extension of the handle 11. As may be seen in FIG. 1 the sleeve 13 projects beyond the end of the handle 11 approximately the same distance as the pin 12. The sleeve 13 is a partial sleeve in that a longitudinal section of the sleeve 13 has been cut away.

The sleeve or extension structure 13 is provided with at least one open-end slot 13a extending transversely of the pin structure 12 and beyond the end of the handle 11. The end of the solid portion of the handle 11 is in the same plane as the adjacent edge of the slots 13a. It will also be noted that the pin 12 projects beyond the open-end slots 13a in FIG. 1. A conventional zipper 15 which comprises the usual pair of interlocking teeth carried by tapes which are sewed to the fabric of the garment has been illustrated in FIG. 1. The zipper 15 is provided with the conventional slide fastener or pull tab 16 having an opening 16a therethrough.

As may be seen in FIG. 2 the slide fastener 16 is connected to the slide fastener actuating device 10 by first placing the device so that the slide fastener 16 is in the position occupied by the phantom line showing in FIG. 2. The pin 12 is inserted into the opening 16a in the slide fastener 16. The slide fastener 16 is positioned between the longitudinally extending edges 13b of the sleeve or locking structure 13, FIG. 2. The pin 12 is inserted into the opening 16a in the slide fastener a distance suificient to bring the slide fastener 16 into alignment with one of the slots 13a in the sleeve 13 and against the end 11a of the handle 11. The actuating device 10 is then rotated about its longitudinal axis to bring the slide fastener 16 into one of the open-end slots 13a as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As may be seen in FIG. 1 the open-end slot 13a through which the slide fastener 16 extends cooperates with the pin 12 and the end 11a of the handle 11 in maintaining the slide fastener 16 substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle. Since the handle 11 is of rod-like construction this relationship will be maintained during both push and pull longitudinal movements of the handle 11. Thus when the slide fastener 16 becomes stuck the device 10 can be operated in either the push or pull direction to loosen the fastener 16 from its stuck condition.

As those skilled in the art will recognize it is frequently necessary to operate a slide fastener in both push and pull directions to free it when it becomes stuck. The improved slide actuating device 10 of the present invention enables this type of operation to be performed when the zipper and particularly the slide fastener 16 thereof is at a relatively inaccessible location such as in the middle of the wearers back. The cooperating pin and locking slot arrangement insures that the slide fastener 16 will be maintained perpendicular to the zipper 15 and thus prevents the fastener 16 from being moved to a position parallel to the zipper 15 which is the normal locking position of the zipper fastener. Thus the device 10 holds the slide fastener 16 in the perpendicular position as shown in FIG. 1 which is the desired operating position for the slide fasteners.

Referring to FIG. 3 there is shown a modification of the slide fastener actuating device 10. The device 10' is provided with a handle 11 of rod-like construction similar to handle 11. It is to be understood that either of the rods 11 or 11' may be round as illustrated or they may be square or they may be of other geometric configuration. The lower end of the handle 11' is provided with a pin 12' which is made of metal and extends beyond the end 11a of the handle 11' similar to pin 12 in FIGS. 1 and 2. A locking structure 13 is secured to the lower end of the handle 11 and in fixed position by suitable means such for example as a pair of screws 14'. The locking structure 13' is of right angle construction and as in the case of the modification shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the locking structure 13' is provided with a pair of open-end slots 13a extending transversely of the pin 12'. The slots 13a extend beyond the end 11a of the handle 11 but are intermediate the ends of the pin 12'. The upper edge of the slots 13a are in the plane of the end 11a of the handle 11'.

The pin 12' is adapted to be inserted through the opening in the slide fastener and then the device 10' is adapted to be rotated about its longitudinal axis to bring the slide fastener into one of the transverse slots 13a. While only one slot 13a is required two slots are preferred as this permits the operator to rotate the device 10 in either direction for convenience of operation. By providing the structure 13 with flat sides as by its right angle construction the operator may readily maintain one of the flat sides parallel to the garment and thus the slide fastener 16 is readily maintained on the pin 12' and within the cooperating slot 13a.

In either of the embodiments of the invention when the operator has moved the slide fastener to the end of the zipper the actuating device may be easily removed from the slide fastener. All that is necessary is to rotate the device one-quarter revolution and this will cause the slide fasetener 16 to be moved out of the open-end slots 13a r 13a to the phantom line position as shown in FIG. 2. In this position the pin of the devices or 10' may readily be removed from the opening in the slide fastener.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific arrangements shown and that further modifications thereof may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for actuating a slide fastener of the type having an opening therein comprising a handle of rod-like construction, pin structure carried by one end of said handle and extending longitudinally thereof, said pin structure having a diameter sufficiently small to extend through the opening in the slide fastener, and fixed locking structure carried by said one end of said handle and including a longitudinal edge, said locking structure comprising at least one open-end slot extending transversely of said pin structure from said longitudinal edge and beyond said one end of said handle, said slot being constructed and arranged to receive the slide fastener after it is positioned on said pin structure and to cooperate with said pin structure in maintaining said slide fastener substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said handle during both push and pull longitudinal movements of said handle.

2. A device for actuating a slide fastener of the type having an opening therein comprising a handle of rodlike construction, pin structure carried by one end of said handle and extending longitudinally thereof, said pin structure having a diameter sufiiciently small to extend through the opening in the slide fastener, and structure carried by said handle and including a longitudinal edge and extending beyond said one end of said handle, said one end of said handle being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said handle and cooperating with said structure to form a slot extending transversely of said pin structure from said longitudinal edge and beyond said one end of said handle, said slot being constructed and arranged to receive the slide fastener after it is positioned on said pin structure and to cooperate with said pin structure in maintaining said slide fastener substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said handle during both push and pull longitudinal movements of said handle.

3. A device for actuating a slide fastener of the type having an opening therein comprising a handle of rod-like construction having a substantially flat end, pin structure carried by said flat end of said handle and extending longitudinally thereof, said pin structure having a diameter sufficiently small to extend through the opening in the slide fastener, and fixed locking structure carried by said handle and including a longitudinal edge and extending beyond said flat end, said locking structure including a portion spaced from said flat end and cooperating therewith to form an open-end slot extending transversely of said pin structure from said longitudinal edge and beyond said flat end of said handle, said slot being constructed and arranged to receive the slide fastener after it is positioned on said pin structure and to cooperate with said pin structure in maintaining said slide fastener substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said handle during both push and pull longitudinal movements of said handle.

4. A device according to claim 3 wherein said locking structure comprises an angle section having at least one said open-end slot therein.

5. A device according to claim 4 wherein said angle section includes a pair of open-end slots aligned with respect to the plane of said fiat end of said handle.

6. A device according to claim 3 wherein said locking structure comprises a curved section having at least one said open-end slot therein.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,427,104 9/ 1947 Hosler 29415 3,145,041 8/1964 Grolig. 3,162,475 12/1964 Van Allen 294-26 FOREIGN PATENTS 63 6,636 12/ 1937 Germany.

References Cited by the Applicant UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,531,805 11/1950 Clark. 2,845,297 7/1958 Doop. 2,900,205 8/ 1959 Cirone. 2,928,157 3/ 1960 Deering. 3,017,680 1/1962 Duncan. 3,059,301 10/ 1962 Dierks.

BERNARD A. GELAK, Primary Examiner. 

1. A DEVICE FOR ACTUATING A SLIDE FASTENER OF THE TYPE HAVING AN OPENING THEREIN COMPRISING A HANDLE OF ROD-LIKE CONSTRUCTION, PIN STRUCTURE CARRIED BY ONE END OF SAID HANDLE AND EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY THEREOF, SAID PIN STRUCTURE HAVING A DIAMETER SUFFICIENTLY SMALL TO EXTEND THROUGH THE OPENING IN THE SLIDE FASTENER, AND FIXED LOCKING STRUCTURE CARRIED BY SAID ONE END OF SAID HANDLE AND INCLUDING A LONGITUDINAL EDGE, SAID LOCKING STRUCTURE COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE OPEN-END SLOT EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY OF SAID PIN STRUCTURE FROM SAID LONGITUDINAL EDGE AND BEYOND SAID ONE END OF SAID HANDLE, SAID SLOT BEING CONTRUCTED AND ARRANGED TO RECEIVED THE SLIDE FASTENER AFTER IT IS POSITIONED ON SAID PIN STRUCTURE AND TO COOPERATE WITH SAID PIN STRUCTURE IN MAINTAINING SAID SLIDE FASTENER SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID HANDLE DURING BOTH PUSH AND PULL LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENTS OF SAID HANDLE. 